NFC EAST

DWIGHT CHAPIN, (OF THE EXAMINER STAFF)

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, September 3, 1995

1. Dallas 1994: The road to a third straight Super Bowl went through San Francisco, and that's where the Cowboys were de-railed, 38-28, in the NFC title game, after a 12-4 regular season. * STRENGTHS: The same big names on offense, QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith (if he can keep his hamstrings healthy), WR Michael Irvin. The defense is still quick and deep, too, led by the redoubtable Charles Haley, still one of the game's preeminent pass rushers. * WEAKNESSES: Depth in the lines is a concern, with players like Mark Stepnoski and Jim Jeffcoat gone. FS James Washington and WR Alvin Harper are big losses, too. And the jury remains out on whether good ol' boy Barry Switzer is in Jimmy Johnson's coaching league. * SYNOPSIS: While owner Jerry Jones has tinkered, the Cowboys have lost a little. They still look like the class of the league along with the 49ers, but some suspect they've lost ground and could have to fight to win the East. 2. Philadelphia 1994: Began the season 7-2 but lost last seven games for a 7-9 finish, and earned coach Rich Kotite a ticket to the New York Jets. * STRENGTHS: RB Ricky Watters, the former 49er, should aid an offense that already includes weapons like WRs Fred Barnett, one of the NFL's most underrated players, and Calvin Williams, and QB Randall Cunningham, if his moon and stars are in alignment. DLs William Fuller and Andy Harmon are tough, too. * WEAKNESSES: Defense overall is just a shell of what it was in the Buddy Ryan years. Run defense especially is in doubt, and top cornerback Eric Allen has departed. Offensive line has some holes, too. * SYNOPSIS: Ex-49er assistant Ray Rhodes has built an impressive reputation on defense, but Eagles likely will rise or fall on the West Coast offense he and assistant Jon Gruden have installed. It looked very good in preseason. 3. New York Giants 1994: Ups and downs. The Giants won their first three, lost their next seven, then won their final six to wind up 9-7 and just miss the playoffs. * STRENGTHS: Coach Dan Reeves, for starters, one of the NFL's best despite his always-pained expression. RBs Rodney Hampton, Herschel Walker and rookie Tyrone Wheatley, LB Michael Brooks and CBs Phillippi Sparks and Thomas Randolph. * WEAKNESSES: Depth on the offensive line, where G Scott Davis is gone for the season. Inconsistent defensive line that is looking to two free-agent underachievers, Ray Agnew and Robert Harris. Lack of a pass rush. * SYNOPSIS: QB Dave Brown began to emerge as one of the NFL's best, and much is tied to his rate of progress. Reeves is sounding optimistic. "I think that we can challenge the Cowboys this year," he said. "It'll probably take 11-5 to do it, but I think we can challenge." 4. Arizona 1994: The Buddy Ryan era got off to an 8-8 start, not too bad considering an 0-3 start. It was the Cardinals' best record since 1984 but didn't produce a playoff berth. * STRENGTHS: Defense, and what else is new with a Ryan team? The best performers are lineman Eric Swann, a youngster with towering talent, and unsung but highly effective CB Aeneas Williams. Also, Ryan favorites Seth Joyner and Clyde Simmons, if age doesn't overtake them. * WEAKNESSES: Offense, also no surprise. QB David Krieg, 37, is good but very streaky, and Garrison Hearst provides a running threat only if he can stay healthy. Rob Moore has something to prove at WR, too. * SYNOPSIS: Buddy Ball has always meant defense, and will again, but half an attack, no matter how tough, just doesn't win in the NFL these days. Another promising but ultimately unsatisfying season looks like it's in the Cards. 5. Washington 1994: Norv Turner, the former Cowboys assistant, took over and chose to begin rebuilding with youngsters. The predictable result: a 3-13 record. * STRENGTHS: Some grand old men - WR Henry Ellard, CB Darrell Green and free-agent safeties James Washington and Stanley Richard - and a couple of highly promising but still-very-raw kids, QB Heath Shuler and WR Michael Westbrook. Also Pro Bowl LB Ken Harvey, the ex-Cal Bear. * WEAKNESSES: Where would you like to start? The defense, particularly the line, is not very good, but there seems to be a shortage of talent almost everywhere. Many players, like Shuler and Westbrook, again will be learning on the job. * SYNOPSIS: The Redskins are paying big time for mortgaging their future, going back to the George Allen days. After 20 years with only three first-round draft choices, something bad had to happen. And owner Jack Kent Cooke is getting antsy.&lt;